Indonesia, Asia

Bali in November

Wet season arrives. Quiet and cheap, with sunny mornings the norm and afternoon storms the pattern.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), building rain

Temple guardian statue at Tanah Lot, Bali — BaliPhoto: Anandajoti, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

November is a month of real tradeoffs in Bali. Wet season arrives. Quiet and cheap, with sunny mornings the norm and afternoon storms the pattern.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), building rain
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What November is like in Bali

November brings the wet season. Highs near 88F (31C), high humidity, and afternoon storms that build through the month. Mornings are usually sunny. Crowds are low and prices drop, making it quiet and cheap. West-coast beaches start to see seasonal debris, and boat trips can be cancelled in rough seas.

It suits budget travelers and couples who want a quiet villa trip and don't mind a daily storm. It is a weaker pick for surfers, divers, and families who want reliable beach days. For dry weather, choose April through September.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Bali this month.

Sunny mornings, quiet island

The usual pattern is a clear morning and a storm later. Start early and you still get a full day of sights.

Low prices before the holidays

Rates dip before the Christmas rush. It is a good time to book a villa you couldn't afford in July.

Green hills return

The first rains bring the island back to deep green. Ubud walks are lovely in the early morning.

What to pack for November

A packable rain jacket
Quick-dry clothes
Insect repellent
A dry bag

Our timing tip

Plan beach and temple time for before noon, and keep afternoons for the pool, spa, or a nap.

Book Bali for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bali
Opens a hotel search for Bali in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Bali
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Bali
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bali for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Galungan and Kuningan

Dates shift on the 210-day Balinese calendar, occurring roughly twice a year

The island's great homecoming festival: streets line with penjor bamboo poles and temples fill. Dates move; if your trip coincides, you are lucky.

Things to do in Bali

Full guide

Uluwatu Temple at sunset

Clifftop temple, crashing surf, and the nightly kecak fire dance. Hold your sunglasses; the resident macaques are professional thieves.

Tickets and tours →

Ubud's rice terraces

Tegalalang is the famous one and crowded by 9am; the Campuhan Ridge walk and Sidemen valley deliver the same green with a fraction of the traffic.

Tickets and tours →

Nusa Penida day trip

The Kelingking clifftop view and manta-ray snorkeling. Fast boats run from Sanur; seas are calmest in the dry season.

Tickets and tours →

Mount Batur sunrise trek

A pre-dawn volcano hike rewarded with sunrise above the clouds. Dry season offers the most reliable views.

Tickets and tours →

Tirta Empul water temple

Balinese Hindus perform purification rituals in the spring-fed pools. Visitors may respectfully join; sarongs are provided.

Tickets and tours →

Canggu to Seminyak beach scene

Surf schools, beach bars, and Bali's famous sunsets. Wet season brings seasonal debris to these west-facing beaches; dry season is postcard clean.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Split your stay: base in Ubud or the east (Sidemen, Amed) for the quiet half, then take the southern beaches in a shorter dose. Trying to day-trip everything from one southern base means hours in traffic.
Do famous photo spots (Tegalalang, Lempuyang's gates, Kelingking) at sunrise; by mid morning in high season the lines rival theme parks.
Travel in May, June, or September for peak-quality weather without July and August density.
Traffic is Bali's real crowd. Plan one area per day, use ride-hailing apps where allowed, and never schedule a tight airport run in evening traffic from Ubud or Canggu.

Know before you go

Nyepi shuts the entire island for 24 hours, usually in March with the date shifting yearly: the airport closes, streets empty by law, and hotels keep guests inside with lights low. Book flights around it deliberately.
Wet season (roughly November through March) closures are practical, not official: fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis cancel in rough seas, sunrise treks lose their views, and some dive operations pause after storms.
The Christmas to New Year fortnight is a full-price, full-island peak despite falling in the rainy season. Book it like high season.
Galungan and Kuningan (dates shift on the 210-day calendar) close some family shops and warungs while ceremonies take precedence; tourist infrastructure largely carries on.